CNC / Laser Operator & CAD-CAM Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Role Summary

The CNC / Laser Operator & CAD-CAM Technician is a hands-on Production role responsible for operating CNC router and laser equipment used in Woodwright’s custom architectural wood products, samples, templates, panels, signage, and related production components.

This role requires more than basic machine operation. The employee must be able to prepare production files, verify toolpaths, run CNC and laser jobs safely, inspect first articles, troubleshoot file or machine issues, and maintain repeatable setup records.

The ideal candidate is an operator-plus: someone who can run the machines, understand the files, identify problems before they become scrap, and support repeatable production standards.

This position is part of the Production team and works closely with production leadership, sample making, CAD/design, finishing, and installation teams.

Key ResponsibilitiesCNC Router and Laser Operation

• Operate CNC router and laser equipment safely and consistently.
• Run jobs involving wood, plywood, veneer, MDF, plastics, acrylics, templates, samples, signage, panels, and related production materials.
• Set up materials, spoilboards, fixtures, jigs, vacuum hold-down, clamps, machine origins, tools, bits, lenses, and job parameters.
• Select appropriate tooling and machine settings based on material, thickness, finish requirement, tolerance, and production objective.
• Monitor jobs while running and respond quickly to issues involving quality, tooling, hold-down, dust collection, burn, tear-out, alignment, or machine performance.
• Stop production when a file, setup, machine condition, or material issue creates a quality or safety risk.

CAD/CAM and File Preparation

• Prepare and organize CAD/CAM files for production.
• Clean up vectors, layers, nests, panel layouts, and toolpath geometry.
• Use Vectric Aspire or comparable CAD/CAM software to create, modify, and verify CNC router toolpaths.
• Generate and verify CNC output files, including G-code or machine-specific code.
• Read, verify, and troubleshoot machine code generated from CAD/CAM software.
• Make basic G-code or machine-code edits when appropriate and within approved operating procedures.
• Identify file problems such as open vectors, overlapping lines, incorrect cut order, wrong cut depth, lost origin, poor nesting, toolpath conflicts, or unintended cuts.

Quality Control

• Run and inspect first articles before full production.
• Verify dimensions, cut quality, engraving quality, edge condition, alignment, surface condition, and overall job conformance.
• Use tape measures, calipers, squares, templates, shop drawings, and production instructions to confirm accuracy.
• Identify whether a quality issue is caused by the file, toolpath, machine setup, tooling, material, hold-down, laser settings, or operator procedure.
• Prevent scrap and rework by catching problems before full production runs.
• Communicate quality concerns promptly to the Production Manager or appropriate team lead.

Documentation and Standard Work

• Maintain organized digital job folders, setup notes, toolpath records, machine logs, and repeatable work instructions.
• Document setup steps so repeat jobs can be run consistently by the same operator or another trained operator.
• Support prototype-to-production transitions by helping convert custom work into repeatable production files and standard operating methods.
• Assist with panelization of oversized artwork, templates, or large-format designs into manufacturable sections when needed.
• Follow Woodwright standard work, file naming, job documentation, and production-control expectations.

Maintenance and Safety

• Perform routine machine cleaning, basic maintenance, bit changes, calibration checks, lens/mirror care, and safety inspections.
• Follow PPE, dust collection, fire prevention, laser safety, lockout/tagout, housekeeping, and safe material-handling procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe CNC/laser work area.
• Report machine maintenance needs, unsafe conditions, tooling problems, or recurring production issues to the Production Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Prior experience operating CNC router equipment in a production, woodworking, cabinet, signage, architectural millwork, fabrication, or related manufacturing environment.
• Experience operating or supporting laser cutting and/or laser engraving equipment.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM workflow, toolpaths, vector files, nesting, layers, origins, feeds, speeds, spindle speed, laser power/speed settings, kerf, focal height, and material setup.
• Ability to read production drawings, shop drawings, cut sheets, templates, and digital job instructions.
• Ability to inspect work using tape measure, calipers, squares, templates, and first-article checks.
• Ability to troubleshoot bad vectors, open geometry, overlapping lines, incorrect cut order, wrong cut depth, lost origin, poor hold-down, bit wear, burning, tear-out, and alignment problems.
• Strong computer file-management discipline.
• Ability to document setup steps and maintain repeatable job records.
• Ability to work safely and productively in a shop-floor production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Vectric Aspire strongly preferred.
• Experience with VCarve, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Rhino, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, LightBurn, RDWorks, or comparable CNC/laser software.
• Ability to read, understand, and make basic edits to G-code or machine-specific CNC output.
• Experience with architectural wood products, hardwood flooring, veneer, custom panels, signage, templates, decorative routed work, or sample production.
• Experience panelizing oversized artwork or large-format designs into manufacturable sections.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Lean manufacturing, 5S, kanban, standard work, or high-mix / mid-volume production experience preferred.

Required Competencies

Competency

Expectation

Technical Capability

Understands CNC router and laser workflow, including files, toolpaths, machine setup, tooling, cutting/engraving parameters, material behavior, and production constraints.

CAD/CAM Literacy

Can prepare, clean, organize, verify, and troubleshoot production files rather than relying on perfect files from others.

Quality at the Source

Inspects first articles, verifies dimensions, confirms job requirements, and stops production when the file, setup, or output is wrong.

Troubleshooting Discipline

Can diagnose whether an issue is caused by the drawing, toolpath, machine code, material, machine, bit, lens, hold-down, origin, or operator setup.

Documentation Discipline

Maintains setup records, job notes, file naming standards, and repeatable instructions.

Production Urgency

Understands the impact of scrap, rework, schedule delays, and downstream installation problems.

Safety Judgment

Respects CNC, laser, dust, fire, fumes, moving equipment, sharp tooling, and lockout/tagout risks.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk on a production floor for extended periods.
• Lift, push, pull, and carry materials, tools, fixtures, and production components up to 50 pounds.
• Bend, reach, stoop, kneel, squat, and move around equipment as required.
• Safely handle sheet goods, panels, templates, tooling, and finished parts.
• Work around shop noise, wood dust, dust collection, production equipment, forklifts, and material-handling activity.
• Use required PPE and follow all safety procedures.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a production/shop environment. The role requires regular interaction with CNC router equipment, laser equipment, computers, CAD/CAM software, wood materials, tooling, dust collection, and production personnel.

The work environment may include shop noise, wood dust, moving equipment, forklifts, production traffic, and other normal manufacturing conditions.

Performance Expectations

• Produce accurate parts with minimal scrap and rework.
• Maintain safe, organized, and repeatable machine setups.
• Catch file and setup problems before production runs.
• Support production schedules by completing jobs accurately and on time.
• Keep digital files, job folders, setup notes, and machine records organized.
• Communicate clearly with production leadership when a job cannot be run safely, accurately, or efficiently.
• Contribute to standard work, repeatability, quality control, and continuous improvement.

At-Will Employment Statement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected for this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.

Woodwright may modify job duties, responsibilities, reporting relationships, or work assignments at any time based on business needs. Employment with Woodwright is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or Woodwright at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.